Ignorance of some GPs...a cautionary tale...

[diana1998]

Yesterday I went to my surgery to collect next lot of pred and was told I needed a dr's review. I have never been refused pred before in 8 years. I insisted on a Tel appointment and said it was Urgent. A Dr phoned me later and said "do you take pred for your chest?"....Pardon? I am a long time steroid user for pmr. Oh says she, hastily checking her records. "Have you tried reducing from 2mg to 1 mg?". I had to explain that doing that could cause an adrenal crisis. I feel sorry for the general public with ignorant advice like that. I told her I knew exactly how to taper thanks to this forum. She then immediately prescribed my pred with her tail between her legs.

[Temeraire]

Shocking isn’t it! My GP’s leave me alone so far (6yrs). Wouldn’t even have a blood test if I didn’t ask.

[diana1998 in reply to Temeraire]

Thankfully I am allowed to self medicate. My own GP lets me have a full blood test regularly and I've had her for many years. Always normal but have to be strict with the receptionists when making the appointment.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Appalling - hope they now have a note on the computer that pred should be handed out first in case the patient is about to run out! Are you taking it for your chest indeed!!!

[Longtimer in reply to PMRpro]

Once again nothing surprises us...we as patients are educating them!...When I saw the awful "older persons" doctor I confessed that I had upped my pred by 2 mg the week previous to go out for afternoon tea paid for by granddaughter...had been indoors for so long......only upped it for 3 days...I said my pain eased and I felt so much better!.. She said so would I thats how bad they are!.....I said quality of life matters to me!Nice to see Max in the Newswire!......still researching.....

[diana1998 in reply to PMRpro]

😫😫

[Gimme]

Glad that you managed to stand your ground. Following (almost) the rheumatologists instructions has sent me into full flare, I think. My PMR is as bad as it has ever been atm.

I feel like some docs treat us like we are on heroin, instead of being sick people on a horrible medicine that we would much rather not have to take, but nonetheless gives us a reasonable quality of life. They must be insane if they think we do this for jollies.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gimme]

Apparently a lot are ...

[diana1998 in reply to PMRpro]

I give up.